Distinguished Service Cross

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Awarded for actions during the World War II

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Colonel Welborn Barton Griffith, Jr. (ASN: 0-16194), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Operations Officer (G-3) with Headquarters, XX Corps, in action against enemy forces on 16 August 1944 at Chartres and Leves, France.

On 16 August 1944, Colonel Griffith entered the city of Chartres, France, in order to check the actual locations and dispositions of units of the 7th Armored Division which was occupying the city.

Upon observing fire being directed at the cathedral in the center of the city, with utter disregard for his own safety, Colonel Griffith, accompanied by an enlisted man, searched the cathedral and finding that there were no enemy troops within, signaled for cessation of fire. Continuing his inspection of outlying positions north of the city, he suddenly encountered about fifteen of the enemy.

He fired several shots at them, then proceeded to the nearest outpost of our forces at which point a tank was located. Arming himself with an M-1 rifle and again with complete disregard for his own safety, Colonel Griffith climbed upon the tank directing it to the enemy forces he had located.

During the advance of the tank he was exposed to intense enemy machinegun, rifle, and rocket-launcher fire and it was during this action, in the vicinity of Leves, France, that he was killed.

Silver Star

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Awarded for actions during the World War II

(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Colonel Welborn Barton Griffith, Jr. (ASN: 0-16194), United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy during World War II.

Colonel Griffith's gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, XX Corps, General Orders No. 24 (1944)

Service: Army

Rank: Colonel

Company: Headquarters

Division: XX Corps

STORY

Welborn Griffith graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1925. For centuries, the Chartres cathedral was one of France's treasures and it would have been destroyed if not for Colonel Griffith's heroic action. After searching the cathedral and finding no German troops he rang the cathedral bells as a sign for the Americans not to shoot. He was later killed defending the town of Leves. Every year, on August 16, flowers are placed in front of the building where he died.

A plaque, honoring his heroic action, has also been erected on the building. Residents of Leves saw him fall and die and within hours they had him covered with a blanket, bouquets of flowers and an American flag to await the American burial detail who buried him in a temporary grave.